Sen. Menendez gives N.J. Distinguished Service Medal to WWII gunner from Jersey City

Courtesy of the G.I. Go FundU.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (left) pins the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal on Army Air Force Staff Sgt. George Cameron for his heroism during WWII. The medal, which is the highest honor the state can bestow upon a member of the military, was presented to Cameron at a ceremony at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Menlo Park on Friday.

EDISON — Air Force Staff Sgt. George Cameron, a gunner who nearly died in one of his 25 missions over Germany during World War II, was bestowed the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez on Friday at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home.

It is the highest military honor awarded by the state of New Jersey.

“I felt like I was receiving this award on behalf of my entire Pist’l Packin’ Crew and all those who have served this great country,” said Cameron, 89, a native of Jersey City.

Cameron was assigned to the 324th Bombardment Squadron of the 91st Bomb Group, an air combat unit of the U.S. Army Air Forces, in World War II. At age 19, he was the ball turret gunner of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed “The Pist’l Packin’ Mama.” While flying over Germany under heavy anti-aircraft fire, Cameron found himself dangling in mid-air from his plane with only a harness keeping him in his seat. Despite heavy damage to the plane, Cameron and his crew were able to land safely.

Menendez said he was proud “to honor one from our greatest generation, for all that he has done for his country.”

The event, in part organized by the G.I. Go Fund, a non-profit organization that provides transition assistance to military veterans, was attended by Cameron’s family, which includes Muriel, his wife of 69 years, as well as Boy Scouts of America Troop No. 110, of Edison.